The farnborough airshow looks to the future by inspiring aviation’s next generation

The exciting world of aviation – and the interesting career opportunities this industry offers – were explored today by some 7,500 young adults at the Farnborough Airshow’s Futures Day, which was centered in the Airbus-sponsored Innovation Zone.

The event began with a morning ceremony that included opening speeches by British television personality Jem Stansfield, along with Airbus lean processes specialist Lucinda Dancer – who urged young women in attendance to consider an engineering career. Airbus is looking for qualified female engineering candidates as part of its current recruitment drive, which is seeking to hire a total of some 4,000 employees in 2012.

“If you are one of the people who can think outside the box and deliver the solutions of tomorrow, you are exactly what we need,” Dancer said.

One of the activities at Futures Day enabled students to operate smartphone-controlled robots. In addition to displays from nearly 20 different exhibitors, Airbus offered two information sessions featuring the company’s “Fly Your Ideas” competition – where student teams throughout the world compete to see who can develop the best concept for sustainable air travel.

Previously known as Youth Day, this regular event at the biennial Farnborough Airshow has nearly doubled in size, according to Sameer Savani, a member of the Futures Day team. Its purpose is to offer hands-on, interactive and multimedia exhibits – such as Airbus’ video on the future of air travel – so attendees can experience the exhibits, not simply view them.